Chemical fire-extinguisher



2 SheetsShee't 1.

J. A. SHEPARD.` Chemical Fire-Extinguisher.

Patented Feb. 3, 1880.

NV PERS, PHBTO UTHOGRAPH Massachusetts,havein vented certain ImproveinentsA in Ohemical Fire-Extinguishers, ci*

UNITED STATES PATENT Ormes.

JAMES A. SHEPARD, OF LEXINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSE [JF AND EDVVABD CHEMICAL FIRE- A. Gr. ROULSTONE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS EXTlNGUlSHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part` of Iietters Patent-No; 224,109, dated Iebruary,Y 1880.

Application filed September 1B, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMEs A." SHEPARD, of i Lexington, county of Middlesex, and Stateof which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to a class of fire-engines in which water charged with a mixture of bicarbonate of soda an d'sulphuric acid Wi thin a closed generator is thrown by the pressure within the latter through a hoseupon theire; and it consists in the general construction, as well as mechanical details, ot' the apparatus, as will be hereinafter described.

The drawings accompanying this specificittion represent, in Figure l, a vertical section of a generator embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section ofthe can containing the chemical liquid. Fi g. 3 is a section ofthe mechanism for opening and closing the pressure-chamber in recharging. Fig. L is an elevation of an engine embodying myimprovements, while Fig. 5 is a section of the pressuregage used in common by the two .generators andthe connections between them.

Heretofore in engines of this class the cyl- `in ders or generators in which the chemical solution has been contained have been arranged upright upon their carriage, with the filling-oriice at the upper end, and each provided with its own pressure-gage, exhaust-pipe, and other necessary connections.

A notable distinction between this engine and others of its class consists in arranging the two cylinders or generators in a horizontal plane and abutting their inner ends together, (or, what would be the same, "providing one cylinder with a central division,) by which means I am enabled to bring t-he weightof such cylinders and their contents (much nearer theA axle of the carriage and greatly diminish the general bulk of the engine, in addition to which I employ but one pressure-gage, 'one exhaustpipe, and one hose-connection, which are used in common by the two generators.

Referring to the drawings before named, it will be seen that A A represent two closed cylinders, arranged and confined in a horizontal plane, with their inner ends or heads abutting closely together, and supported within an open frame, B, which, in turn, is mounted by axles O upon suitable wheels `D.

E represents a horizontal pipe, which is disposed alongside the generators A A', and constitutes a hose-connection or delivery-pipe common to the latter, while F F represent pipes connecting, respectively, with the interior of the generators and the delivery-pipe E, and each provided with a cock, ce or c', between the said pipe E and the generators. 6o

The pressure-gage ofthe engine is shown at G as mounted upon the top of, and connecting with the interior of, an upright hollow standard, H, erected cent-rallyupon the top of the conjoint generator AA', while the said stand- 6'5 ard consists oftwo side legs, b bf, each of which, at its lower end, connects with the upper part Y of the interior oi' one of the said generators,

`while at its Lipper end cach leg `connects with and forms part of a-horizontal chamber or pas- 7o sage, c, which constitutes the upper part of the main body oi' standard H, such body being completedA by a second horizontal passage or chamber, d, connectinginteriorly with the legs and the passage c.

' A cock, e, is placed in the upper end of the standard H, immediately below the pressuregage, while within the chamber el, and upon each side of its center, are placed. two cocks,

The exhaust-pipe common to the two cylinders is shown at I as connecting at one end with the interior of the chamber d, between the cocks f j", and with its opposite end carried below the cylinders and opening int-o the 8 5 atmosphere.

The upper portion or chamber, c, of the standard H is divided by an oblique or zigzag partition, g, which separates the legs b b', and has a central valve-port, h, the arrangement 9o of the shelf being such that one leg is' open directly to communication with'the pressuregage, and the other communicating with-such gage through the valve-port from below, while the valve, which is shown ati, and is an automatically-operatin g one, operates with the said valve-port and with a seat, j, formed about ,the mouth of the leg, which connects directly with the gage, or at the point of intersection ofv the said leg with the passage c, the valve 10o being hinged at its lower end between the two valve seats or ports, and so as to operate to open or close one or the other, as the case may be. As represented in the accompanying drawings, the leg I) connects directly with t-he gage G, and the leg b' indirect-ly through the valve-port h.

In operating with the engine prior to service at lires the.cocks eff are closed. The jar H2 having been inverted, and the pressure obtained within one of the cylinders, as stated, (say the cylinder A, as the front one is generally first used,) the cockfis opened and the water within the cylinder charged with gas is ejected u n der pressu re, through the con nectingpipe F and the hose-connection pipe E, and

l thence through the hose -upon the tire, the

same pressure also extending up the leg b and into the pressure gage, and automatically closing the valve t' upon the seat or port It, and thereby shutting off entrance to the'leg b and the opposite generator A', while the closed cock j" shuts off entrance at this time to the exhaust-pipe I.

Should the contents ofthe second cylinder, A', be required, its jar is to be inverted and the cock a opened, the water under pressure being thereby allowed to escape through such cock into the hose-connection pipe E, while the same pressure closes the valve t' upon the seat j, and passes through the port h to the pressure-gage.

When the second tank is emptied, or nearly so, of water, the cock a is closed, and the cock f is opened, which permits the gas in the said generator to escape by the exhaust I.

Each generator has at top a filling-opening orice, B2, for permitting introduction into the cylinder of the substance employed to produce the gas required, such opening being provided with a suitable cover or valve, O2, secured to or formed with the lower end of a vertical stem or rod, D2, which in turn is guided by a tubular head, A2, making part of an arched standard, E2, disposed upon the top of the generator A2 and straddling the said cover G2.

The cover C2 is depressed powerfully upon and about the opening by an eccentric handlever, F2, pivoted to the top of the standard E2, and raised from olif its seat, when the pressure of the lever is removed by a coiled spring, G2, which encircles the stem D2 and exerts its stress between a collar, a2, upon such stem and a shoulder, b2, in the upper part' of the tubular standard. y

The hand-lever F2 carries a latch, c2, which enga-ges with a catch or hook iixed to the adjacent part of the standard E2, thereby conning the cover O2 in its closed position about the opening or filling orifice B2.

One leg ofthe standard E2--for instance, c2-is pivoted to the top of the generator A2 in such manner that the entire standard, with the cover (J2 and its hand-lever, may be swung` to one side and leave the filling-orifice B2 unobstructed, in order that access may be readily had to the latter when it becomes desirable to charge the generator.

The opposite leg, f2, of the standard is detachably fastened to a post, g2, erected upon the top of the generator, a suitable. latch being combined with the two for locking them together and securing the cover G2 and its adj uncts in proper position over the filling-oritice.

The jar or bottle before alluded to as disposed within the generator A2 is shown at H2 as suspended within the upper part of said generator and immediately below the fillingoritc'e of the latter, the means herein shown of supporting such jar being slotted hangers h2 h2, depending from the top ofthe interior of the generator, and trunnions t2 712, projecting from opposite sides of the jar and entering such slots, the trunnions iinding seats at the bottoms of the slots, and constituting means of enabling the jar to be turned lbottom up in order to discharge its contents into the tank below, while the slots in said hangers, which extend upward as far as the lilling-orice B2, permit the jar to be lifted out ot' the generator through such orice to enable said jar to be readily lled, the jar having at bottom a suitable handle, by which it is to be lifted. y

The stopper of the jar is self-acting, and consists ofa conica] or tapering valve, 72, which closes the mouth of the jar, such valve having a stem, k2, which extends into the jar and guides the movements of the valve and prevents loss of the latter, the head Z2 of such stem bein g of greater diam eter than the mouth of the jar.

The jar H2 is estopped from turning in one direction by a stop suitably applied to the hangers h2 71,2, and the opposite side of such jar is weighted to such an extent that when left free to turn upon its trunnions it shall be turned bottom up and remain in this position until reversedi A suitable catch or hook, m2, is aflixed to a horizontal rod or rock-shaft, n2, which is supported within the upper part of the generator and to one side of the hangers h2 71,2, the said catch or hook operating with a corresponding hook, 02, secured to the jar, the arrangement of the whole being. such that the jar is confined in an upright position by the catch m2, and its contents isolated fromA those ot` the generator.

One end ot the shaft n2 extends through the wall of the generator, and is provided with a hand-latch, p2, which operates with a catch upon the exterior-of such generator to lock such shaft to the generator, and prevents release ot' the jar H2.

The operation of the above-described apparatus is as follows, it being supposed that the generator has received its charge of bicarbonate of soda or other substance, and the jar H2 its charge of sulphuric acid, or whatever 4material may be employed, the cover of the generator being tightly closed, and the jar IOO IOS

IIO

' port it.

H2 being locked in an upright position, and its mouth sealed by its Valve, which closes by its own Weight:

In the event of a re the generator is' taken to the proper locality, and the attendant seizes and releases the hand-latch p2 and turns the rock-shaft n2 sufficiently to disengage the jar H2 andipermit it to turn bottom upward, the valve opening by its own weight and permitting the contents of thejar to be precipitated into those of the generator, the result being the generation of the desired gas, which isA taken from the generator through a suitable pipe, as before explained.

When the gas within the generator has spent itself or passed off by the exhaust, the pressure of the handlever upon the cover of the `generator is relaxed and the arched standard disengaged and turned to one side, thereby uncovering; the manhole or lling-orice of the generator, and permitting the jar H2 to be lifted up, reversed in position, and refilled, and if necessary', a fresh charge placed in the generator, when the hand-latch p2 is to be restored to its original position, and the jar-thereby securely held npr-ight to the hangers which sup- Ihe engine is now ready to be again brought into use by reversing the jar as at irst, and this generation of gas may thus be continued as long as the supply of chelnicals holds out.

One merit of my engine will be found to consist in the ease and rapidity with which it may be recharged, as the act of releasing the pressure upon the cover of the man-hole of the generator, and the removal of such cover, to leave the man-hole unobstructed, is accomplished 'rapidly and with little effort, while the mannerof' suspending and reversing the jar H, and of automatically opening and closing its mouth, enables the charging of such jar andthe discharging of its `contents to be carried oir-with little labor or loss of time.

I. A chemical fire-extinguisher in which the two cylinders or generators are arranged in-a horizontal plane and with their inner ends abutting together.

2. In chemical nre-engines in which two pressure-generators are employed, the combination, with such generators, of a single pressure-gage and suitable connections between the two, whereby such gage is operated automatically by pressure from said generator.

3. The hollow standard as composed of the legs b b', the chambers c and cl, and partition g, with the valve i, ports h and j, and the cocks 4. The combination, with the twogenerators, arranged as described, of the connecting-pipes F and F and a swivel hose-connection, substantially as an`d for the purposes'stated.

5. In general combination, the two cylinders AA', standard H, gage G, and pipes Ii, F', and E, substantially as described.

6. In combination with stem or rod D2, the arched standard E2, pivoted on one sidr'to the top of the generator, and lever F2, pivoted on said standard, whereby said rod and cover Q2 are forced downward.

7. In combination with stem or rod D2, the spring G2, arched standard E2, lever F, and cover C2, substantially as set forth.

8. In combination with a generating-chamber and suspended receptacle, aslotted guideframe, within which said receptacle can be raised and lowered.

9. In combination with a generatingechamber and suspended receptacle, a slotted guideframe within which said receptacle canv be .raised and lowered, said frame being provided with a device for preventing said receptacle from `tipping in one direct-ion, while allowing vit to tip in the other.

It). The jar, with its trunnions, and the sl0tted or grooved hangers, in combination with the filling-orifice of the generator, whereby the jar may be reversed in position to discharge its contents, and lifted upto or through the manhole, to be returned to' anupright position and be recharged, substantially as herein described.

l1. The combination, with the generator and its lIng-oriIice, of the slotted or grooved hangers,`the jar, with its trunnions, operating in such slots' or grooves, and the valve operating automatically to open or close the mouth of the jar with changes in position of the latter, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the reversible jar and a hook upon the same, of the rockshaft, with its hook, and the hand-latch con trolling such rock-shaft, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

JAMES A. SHEPARD.

Witnesses:

WM. T. ANDREWS, Jr., H. E. LODGE.

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